Martins Ferry Middle School Students Meet Special Service Dog

Students at one local middle school will soon have a new classmate – a service dog.

On Wednesday, students at Martins Ferry Middle School were introduced to “Jackson.” He is a new service dog who has been bonding with Kelsi Weaver. Kelsi is a seventh grader at the school with special mobility needs due to cerebral palsy.

“Since Kelsi is in middle school it would be a great opportunity to take some time and talk to the students too,so that when eventually Jackson is going to school with her, they’ll know some of the rules and some of the thing to watch out for, and things like that,” said Jenny Barlos, of Assistance Dogs for Achieving Independence Client Services.

Kelsi is also very excited for her new companion. “I’m very happy, and it’s just so much of a convenience, because I have like a new best friend. It’s really amazing and it just helps me a lot,” she said.

Kelsi and Jackson will start to attend classes together in the next month.

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